GED — General Educational Development Diploma

Program is provided for eligible adults who lack a high school diploma.  The GED is the national high school equivalency program that includes a set of 5 tests: Math, Reading, Writing, Social Studies, and Science.

Adult Diploma

Program is provided for eligible adults leading to a high school diploma from a sponsoring Minnesota school district.

ESL — English as a Second Language

Instruction is provided for those whose native language is not English. Sometimes referred to as English Language Learning (ELL). ESL classes, from pre-literacy level to the advanced level, help students develop speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar skills to communicate effectively in English within their workplaces, communities, and families.

EL Civics

EL (English Language) Civics is a federally funded, competitive, categorical grant program intended to provide non-native English speaking adults with instruction in a civics context.  The Minnesota Department of Education Adult Basic Education office administers this program and issues an annual RFP (Request for Proposal) to eligible providers.  Eligible providers include nonprofit and community based organizations, public schools and other entities that are defined in the annual RFP.

Annually, about fifteen to twenty programs are selected through a competitive process to deliver EL Civics services to eligible adults.  Grants typically have a maximum award of $40,000 and a duration of from ten to twelve months.  Federal policy on EL Civics requires a multi-year funding approval process and therefore preference in program selection is given to currently funded programs through the proposal scoring process.  In this manner, many current EL Civics programs operate as ongoing, multi-year grant programs.

The specific civics content focus may change from year to year, so potential applicant programs are advised to carefully read the new RFP.  For the most recent RFP, select here.

For a summary of the currently funded EL Civics programs, select here.

Workforce Preparation

Program that builds literacy skills related to students’ need to obtain, retain, or improve their employment. Workforce Education provides basic academic and literacy skills to students who are already employed by a specific business, industry, or company – typically provided at the student’s place of employment. Employment Readiness programs include general employability skills and instruction in soft skills that are essential in the workplace.

Family Literacy

Program is provided for adults and their children. Features instruction for adults in literacy, instruction in parenting, and educational/developmental services for children. ABE partners with Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), Even Start, Head Start, and other agencies to provide family literacy services.

Basic Skills Enhancement

Program is provided for students who need goal-specific elementary- or secondary-level basic skills such as work-related math, functional literacy (e.g. banking skills), reading, or writing assistance.

Citizenship / Civics Education

Program is provided to prepare Minnesota non-citizens for U.S. citizenship. Includes application preparation and English language instruction. Civics Education includes content related to general civics knowledge and participation in a democratic society.

Distance and Online Learning

Distance Learning provides adult learners with the opportunity for structured learning outside the classroom. This is a fast-developing area of ABE instruction in Minnesota.